www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/417,517
`
`05/20/2019
`
`Chong Soon LIM
`
`735256.410C1
`
`7557
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`PARIKH, DAKSHESH D
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2488
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/14/2020
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`USPTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @seedip.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1,7,13,19,25,31 and 37-42 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`CJ] Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1,7,13,19,25,31 and 37-42 is/are rejected.
`OO Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`CC) Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)) accepted or b)() objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)0) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)X None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)L) All
`1... Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 07/30/2020.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 10/01/2020.
`4) ( Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20201008
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/417,517
`LIM etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`DAKSHESH D PARIKH
`2488
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 07/30/2020.
`LC} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)l¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3) An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\(Z Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAIL
`
`Notice ofPre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`[1]
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is betng examined under thefirst
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Applicant(s) Response to OfficialAction
`
`[2]
`
`The responsefiled on 07/30/2020 has been entered and madeofrecord.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 and 35 USC § 103
`
`[3]
`
`Presented arguments have been fully considered, but are rendered moot in view of the new
`
`ground(s) of rejection necessitated by amendment(s) initiated by the applicant(s).
`
`
`
`[4] The non-statutory double patenting rejection is based onajudicially created doctrine
`
`Double Patenting
`
`grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or
`
`improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible
`
`harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting rejection 1s
`
`appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application
`
`claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim 1s
`
`either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berz,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 3
`
`140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010
`
`(Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686
`
`F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and
`
`In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be
`
`used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting
`
`ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with
`
`this application, or claims an invention madeasaresult of activities undertaken within the scope of a
`
`joint research agreement.
`
`Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal
`
`disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
`
`[5]
`
`Claims 1, 7, 3, 19, 25, 31 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double
`
`patenting overclaims1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33 of Co-pending Application 16/417514. This is a provisional
`
`double patenting rejection since the conflicting claims have not yet been patented.
`
`[6]
`
`Claims 37-42 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type
`
`double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33 of co-pending Application No
`
`16/417514, in view of US Publication Chuangetal. (US20180070110A1) (hereinafter Chuang).
`
`Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other
`
`because it is merely 1n the terminology used in both sets of claims.
`
`The subject matter claimed 1n the instant application 1s fully disclosed in the referenced
`
`patent and would be covered by any patent granted on that patents since the referenced patents and
`
`the instant application are claiming commonsubject matter, as follows:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 4
`
`*Note: Bold indicates the common subject matter
`
`Co-pending Application: 16/417514
`8. An image encoder comprising: a
`splitter which,
`in operation,
`receives and splits an original
`picture into blocks; a first adder
`which,
`in operation, receives the
`blocks from the splitter and
`predictions from a prediction
`controller, and subtracts each
`prediction from its corresponding
`block to output a residual; a
`transformer which,
`in operation,
`performs a transform on the residuals
`outputted from the adder to output
`transform coefficients; a quantizer
`which,
`in operation, quantizes the
`transform coefficients to generate
`quantized transform coefficients; an
`entropy encoder which,
`in operation,
`encodes the quantized transform
`coefficients to generate a bitstream;
`an inverse quantizer and transformer
`which,
`in operation,
`inverse
`quantizes the quantized transform
`coefficients to obtain the transform
`coefficients and inverse transforms
`the transform coefficients to obtain
`
`first partition, each of the sub
`
`Instant Application: 16/417,517
`7. An image encoder comprising:
`a splitter which,
`in operation,
`receives and splits an original
`picture into blocks; a first adder
`which,
`in operation, receives the
`blocks from the splitter and
`predictions from a prediction
`controller, and subtracts each
`prediction from its corresponding
`block to output a residual; a
`transformer which,
`in operation,
`performs a transform on the residuals
`outputted from the adder to output
`transform coefficients; a quantizer
`which,
`in operation, quantizes the
`transform coefficients to generate
`quantized transform coefficients;
`an entropy encoder which,
`in
`operation, encodes the quantized
`transform coefficients to generate a
`bitstream; an inverse quantizer and
`transformer which,
`in operation,
`inverse quantizes the quantized
`transform coefficients to obtain the
`transform coefficients and inverse
`transforms the transform coefficients
`
`to obtain the residuals; a second
`adder which,
`in operation, adds the
`residuals outputted from the inverse
`quantizer and transformer and the
`predictions outputted from the
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`the blocks; and
`the prediction controller coupled to
`an inter predictor, an intra
`predictor, and a memory, wherein the
`inter predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on a reference block in
`
`an encoded reference picture and the
`intra predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on an encoded reference
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`in response to a size of
`the current block of the picture
`satisfying a first condition, splits
`the current block into sub blocks
`
`along a single direction, wherein,
`response to the size of the current
`
`in
`
`the residuals; a second adder which,
`in operation, adds the residuals
`outputted from the inverse quantizer
`and transformer and the predictions
`outputted from the prediction
`controller to reconstruct the blocks;
`and the prediction controller coupled
`to an inter predictor, an intra
`predictor, and a memory, wherein the
`inter predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on a reference block in
`
`an encoded reference picture and the
`intra predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on an encoded reference
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`in response to splitting a
`block of a picture into sub blocks
`along a single direction, sets one or
`more parameters to a first set of
`values;
`in response to splitting the
`block into four sub blocks using a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`block satisfying a second condition,
`the splitting along the single
`direction includes splitting the
`current block along a shorter side of
`the current block into an even number
`
`Page 5
`
`blocks having a same size, sets the
`one or more parameters to a second
`set of values different from the
`
`in response to
`first set of values,
`splitting the block into three sub
`blocks using a second partition,
`ratios of sizes of the sub blocks
`
`the second partition not
`being 1:2:1,
`partition splitting the
`including a
`block into four same-sized sub
`
`blocks, sets the one or more
`parameters to a third set of values
`different from the first and second
`
`sets of values; encodes the sub
`blocks of the block, and writes the
`one or more parameters into the bit
`stream.
`
`of sub blocks having a same size; and
`in response to the size of the
`current block not satisfying the
`second condition,
`the splitting along
`the single direction includes
`splitting the current block into sub
`blocks having different sizes;
`in response to the size of the
`current block not satisfying the
`first condition, splits the block
`into four sub blocks along vertical
`and horizontal directions,
`the four
`sub blocks having a same size; and
`encodes the sub blocks of the current
`block.
`
`of values, different from the first
`
`25. An image decoder, comprising: an
`entropy decoder which,
`in operation,
`receives and decodes an encoded
`
`27. An image decoder, comprising: an
`entropy decoder which,
`in operation,
`receives and decodes an encoded
`
`bitstream to obtain quantized
`transform coefficients; an inverse
`quantizer and transformer which,
`in
`operation,
`inverse quantizes the
`quantized transform coefficients to
`obtain transform coefficients and
`inverse transforms the transform
`
`bitstream to obtain quantized
`transform coefficients; an inverse
`quantizer and transformer which,
`in
`operation,
`inverse quantizes the
`quantized transform coefficients to
`obtain transform coefficients and
`inverse transforms the transform
`
`coefficients to obtain residuals; an
`adder which,
`in operation, adds the
`residuals outputted from the inverse
`quantizer and transformer and
`predictions outputted from a
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`blocks; and the prediction controller
`coupled to an inter predictor, an
`intra predictor, and a memory,
`wherein the inter predictor,
`in
`operation, generates a prediction of
`a current block based on a reference
`
`coefficients to obtain residuals; an
`adder which,
`in operation, adds the
`residuals outputted from the inverse
`quantizer and transformer and
`predictions outputted from a
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`blocks; and the prediction controller
`coupled to an inter predictor, an
`intra predictor, and a memory,
`wherein the inter predictor,
`in
`operation, generates a prediction of
`a current block based on a reference
`
`block in an encoded reference picture
`and the intra predictor,
`in
`operation, generates a prediction of
`a current block based on an encoded
`
`block in an encoded reference picture
`and the intra predictor,
`in
`operation, generates a prediction of
`a current block based on an encoded
`
`reference block in a current picture,
`wherein the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`in response to a size of
`the current block of the picture
`satisfying a first condition, splits
`the current block into sub blocks
`
`along a single direction, wherein,
`response to the size of the current
`block satisfying a second condition,
`the splitting along the single
`direction includes splitting the
`
`in
`
`reference block in a current picture,
`wherein the prediction controller,
`in
`operation: parses one or more
`parameters from a bitstream;
`response to the one or more
`parameters having a first set of
`values, splits a block of a picture
`into sub blocks along a single
`direction; in response to the one or
`more parameters having a second set
`
`in
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`current block along a shorter side of
`the block into an even number of sub
`
`blocks having a same size; and in
`response to the size of the current
`block not satisfying the second
`condition,
`the splitting along the
`single direction includes splitting
`the current block into sub blocks
`
`having different sizes; in response
`to the size of the current block not
`
`satisfying the first condition,
`splits the current block into four
`sub blocks along vertical and
`horizontal directions,
`the four sub
`blocks having a same size; and
`decodes the sub blocks of the current
`
`block.
`
`Page 6
`
`set of values, splits the block into
`four sub blocks using a first
`partition, each of the sub blocks
`having a same size; in response to
`the one or more parameters having a
`third set of values, different from
`the first and second sets of values,
`splits the block into three sub
`blocks using a second partition,
`ratios of sizes of the sub blocks
`
`the second partition not
`being 1:2:1,
`including a partition splitting the
`block into four same-sized sub
`
`blocks; and decodes the sub blocks of
`the block.
`
`[7]
`
`Claim 1 and 13 are analogues the device claim 7, therefore, at least for this reason claim 1
`
`and 13 are rejected similarly to claim 7.
`
`[8]
`
`Claim 19 and 31 are analogues the device claim 25, therefore, at least for this reason claim 19
`
`and 31 are rejected similarly to claim 25.
`
`[9]
`
`Regarding dependentclaims 37-42, Claims 37-42 correspond to claim 1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33 of
`
`conflicting Co-pending Application 16/417514 and obvious over Chuang.
`
`Notcere prior art available under both pre-AIA and AIA
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to ATA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) 1s incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new groundof rejection if the priorart
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereitherstatus.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 7
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following 1s a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed mvention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of thistitle, if the differences between the claimed invention
`and the prior art are such that the claimed mvention as a whole would have been obvious before the
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was
`made.
`
`Thefactual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966),
`that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C.
`103 are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
`4. Considering objective evidence present tn the application indicating obviousness or
`nonobviousness.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims
`the examiner presumesthat the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned
`as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.
`Applicantis advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and
`effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing
`date of the later invention 1n order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C.
`102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
`
`[10]
`
`Claim 1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31, 37-42 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Chuang et al. (US20180070110A1) (hereinafter Chuang).
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Chuang meets the limitations as follows:
`
`An image encoder /Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0052-0053, 0177, discloses an
`
`image encoder] comprising:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 8
`
`a splitter which, tn operation, recetves and splits an original picture into
`
`blocks; /48 Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0055, discloses splittingpicture in LCU]
`
`a first adder which, in operation, receives the blocks from the splitter and
`
`predictions from a prediction controller, and subtracts each prediction from its
`
`corresponding block to output a residual; [50 Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0056,
`
`0059)
`
`a transformer which, tn operation, performs a transform on the residuals
`
`outputted from the adder to output transform coefficients; 92 Fag. 2, and assocated
`
`text, Para 0053, 0065-0066]
`
`a quantizer which, in operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to
`
`generate quantized transform coefficients; [54 Fug. 2, and associated text, Para 0053,
`
`0066]
`
`an entropy encoder which, in operation, encodes the quantized transform
`
`coefficients to generate a bitstream; /56 Pig. 2, and associated text, Para 0053, 0056,
`
`0058, 0064, 0066-0067]
`
`an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in operation, inverse quantizes
`
`the quantized transform coefficients to obtain the transform coefficients and inverse
`
`transforms the transform coefficients to obtain the residuals; [58 Fug. 2, and associated
`
`text, Para 0053, 0068)
`
`a second adder which, in operation, adds the residuals outputted from the
`
`inverse quantizer and transformer and the predictions outputted from the prediction
`
`controller to reconstruct the blocks; /62 Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 053, 0056,
`
`0068] and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 9
`
`the prediction controller coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and
`
`a memory, wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a
`
`current block based on a reference block in an encoded reference picture and the
`
`intra predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
`
`encoded reference block in a current picture, /Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0052-
`
`0058, 0068-0072] wherein the prediction controller, in operation:
`
`in response to a size of the current block of the picture satisfying a first
`
`condition, splits the current block into sub blocks along a single direction, /Fig. 6A-B,
`
`7A-B, 8 and associated text, Para OO88-0101, 0135-0138, discloses video encoder and video
`
`decoder may implement both binary tree-basedpartitioning and center-side triple tree-based
`
`partitioning multiple time, and in any order, in the PT-basedportion ofa multi-type tree-based
`
`splitting scheme. Further discloses that when the block partition is PT and block size is NXN, then
`
`it spt the block into two sub blocks using binary tree-basedpartitioning along a single direction.]
`
`wherein,
`
`in response to the size of the current block satisfying a second condition, the
`
`splitting along the single direction includessplitting the current block along a shorter
`
`side of the current block into an even numberof sub blocks having a samesize; /Fig.
`
`6.A-B, 7A-B, 8 and assocaated text, Para 0089-0101, 0135-0138, discloses video encoder and
`
`deo decoder may implement both binary tree-basedpartitioning and center-side triple tree-based
`
`partitioning multiple time, and in any order, in the PT-basedportion ofa multi-type tree-based
`
`splitting scheme. So, when the block partition is PT, block size is rectangle NxN/2 or N/2xN,
`
`then it ts obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date ofthe
`
`claimed invention to understand that it may split the blockfurther using binary tree based
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 10
`
`partitioning along a shorter side ofthe current block into an even numberofsub blocks having a
`
`same size.] and
`
`in response to the size of the current block notsatisfying the second
`
`condition, the splitting along the single direction includes splitting the current block
`
`into sub blocks having different sizes; /Fig. 6A-B, 7A-B, and associated text, Para 0089-
`
`0101, 0135-0138, discloses ideo encoder and video decoder may implement both binary tree-based
`
`partitioning and center-side triple tree-basedpartitioning multiple time, and in any order, in the PT-
`
`basedportion ofa multi-type tree-based splitting scheme. So, when the block partition is PT, block
`
`size is not rectangle NxN/2 or N/2xN, then it split the block into three sub-blocks using center-
`
`side triple tree-basedpartitioning along the single direction includes splitting the current block into
`
`sub blocks having different sizes.|
`
`in response to the size of the current block notsatisfying the first condition,
`
`splits the block into four sub blocks along vertical and horizontal directions, the four
`
`sub blocks having a samesize; /Fig. 6A-B, 7A-B, 8, and associated text, Para 0089-0101,
`
`0135-0138, discloses video encoder and video decoder may implement both binary tree-based
`
`partitioning and center-side triple tree-basedpartitioning multiple time, and in any order, in the PT-
`
`basedportion ofa multi-type tree-based splitting scheme. So, when the block partition is not PT
`
`and block size is not NX, then it is spht the block intofour sub blocks along vertical and
`
`horizontal directions, thefour sub blocks having a same size] and
`
`encodes the sub blocks of the current block.
`
`/Fig. 2, and associated text, Para
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`0045, 0054-0055, 0089-0101, 0135-0138, disclosespartitioning ofan LICU into sub-CUs
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`and CUs may include one or more PUs and one or more Tus and encoding sub-blocks.]
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`Chuang describes their invention in terms of several examples and techniques, further
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`discloses that 1t should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that different
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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
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`techniques may be performed 1n different sequence may be added, mergedorleft out.
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`Therefore, different example and techniques disclosed in may be combined, and modified
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`that would result in the claim invention.
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`Therefore, tt would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system disclosed by Chuang, in
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`order to provide better coding efficiency. /Chuang: Para 0098]
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`Regarding Claim 38, Note the Rejection for claim 7, wherein Chuangfurther discloses
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`The image encoder according to claim 7, wherein the prediction controller, in
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`operation: in response to the size of the block satisfying the first condition and not
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`satisfying the second condition, writes a parameter into a bitstream corresponding to
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`splitting the block into sub blocks including sub blocks having different sizes; 1n
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`response to the size of the block not satisfying the first condition, writes a parameter
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`into the bitstream corresponding to splitting the block into four sub blocks along
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`vertical and horizontal directions, each of the four sub blocks having a samesize.
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`[Chuang: Fig. 6A-B, 7A-B, 8, and associated text, Para 0080, 0088-0101, 0135-01238,
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`discloses signaling splitting information to decoder in the bitstream|
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`Regarding claim 1 and 37, the claim(s) recites analogous limitations to claim 7 and 38 above,
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`respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim 1
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`and 37, Chuang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 7 and 38, respectively.
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`[Please, refer to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 7 and 38,
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`respectively; Note: current claim may contain different terminology or additional claim terms compared to the
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`claim(s) that are referred claim(s) to meet the claim limitations of current claim. However, explanation and
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`pertinence ofprior art ofreferenceprovided in the referred claim(s) would address any differing claim
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`Limitations. Therefore, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated, and applicantis
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`requested to refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred claim/(s).]
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`Regarding claim 13 and 39, the claim(s) recites analogous limitations to claim 7 and 38
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`above, respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding
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`claim 13 and 39, Chuang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 7 and 38,
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`respectively. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 7
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`and 38, respectively; Note: current claim may contain different terminology or additional claim terms
`
`compared to the claim(s) that are referred claim(s) to meet the claim limitations ofcurrent claim. However,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreferenceprovided in the referred claim(s) would address any
`
`differing claim limitations. Therefore, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated,
`
`and applicant ts requested to refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred
`
`claim(s).]
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`Regarding claim 25 and 41, the claim(s) recites the claims limitations for decoder, for
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`decoding the encoded image data,it 1s well-known to the person of ordinary skill 1n the art
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`before the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention that decoding performs an inverse
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`operation of the encoder for decoding the encoded image data, thereby decoder1s a
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`analogous to the encoder. Chuang discloses a decoder /Chuang: Fig. 3 and associated text, Para
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`0069-0070] that includes a entropy decoder, a de-quantizer, an inverse transformer, an inter
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`predictor, a intra predictor, buffer memory, that performs a decoding pass generally
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`reciprocal to the encoding pass described with respect to video encoder. Therefore, claim 25
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`and 41 recites analogous limitations to claim 7 and 38 above,respectively, and is/are
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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
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`therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim 25 and 41, Chuang meets
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`the claim limitations as set forth in claim 7 and 38, respectively. /Please, refer to mapping,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 7 and 38, respectively; Note: current claim
`
`may contain different terminology or additional claim terms compared to the claim(s) that are referred claim(s)
`
`to meet the claim limitations ofcurrent claim. However, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference
`
`provided in the referred claimm(s) would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore, explanation and
`
`pertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated, and applicant ts requested to refer to explanation and
`
`pertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred claim(s).]
`
`Regarding claim 19 and 40, the claim(s) recites analogous limitations to claim 25 and
`
`Alabove, respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore,
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`regarding claim 19 and 40, Chuang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 25 and
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`41, respectively. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim
`
`25 and 41, respectively; Note: current claim may contain different terminology or additional claim terms
`
`compared to the claim(s) that are referred claim(s) to meet the claim limitations of current claim. However,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreferenceprovided in the referred claim(s) would address any
`
`differing claim limitations. Therefore, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated,
`
`and applicant is requested to refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred
`
`claim(s).]
`
`Regarding claim 31 and 42, the claim(s) recites analogous limitations to claim 25 and
`
`Alabove, respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore,
`
`regarding claim 31 and 42, Chuang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 25 and
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`41, respectively. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim
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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,517
`Art Unit: 2488
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`25 and 41, respectively; Note: current claim may contain different terminology or additional claim terms
`
`compared to the claim(s) that are referred claim(s) to meet the claim limitations ofcurrent claim. However,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreferenceprovided in the referred claim(s) would address any
`
`differing claim limitations. Therefore, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated,
`
`and applicant is requested to refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred
`
`claim(s).]
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`Conclusion
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`[11]
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`Applicant's amendmentnecessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office
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`action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant ts
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`reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
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`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action 1s set to expire THREE MONTHS
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`from the mailing date of this action. In the eventa first reply 1s filed within TWO MONTHSof the